Before Wenger arrived that would have included the ability for centre-halves to shove their right arm in the air, appealing as yet another opponent was caught in the offside trap. It’s been quite a ride for the red and white half of north London.

There have been times – such as the ‘Invincibles’ season of 2004 – when fans of all persuasions ­begrudgingly admitted they were witnessing one of the greatest teams.

(Photo: Getty)

Wenger has consistently ­provided a platform for a ­succession of players to establish themselves as top performers. And done it with style.

Patrick Vieira arrived as an ­unknown. Thierry Henry had lost his way at Juventus. The list carries on today. Legends were created and generated because of Wenger’s keen eye.

He has promoted talents to the first team – like Cesc Fabregas when the midfielder was still young enough to be at school. It takes some doing. And all the while he has qualified for the Champions League.

It was again Wenger’s shield of ­defence during the build-up to this afternoon’s Community Shield clash with Man City at Wembley.

He said: “With the resources we have, nobody, apart from us, has been in the top four for 17 years – nobody.”

Tellingly, he then added: “Let’s not go overboard. We are more ­comfortable, but we’re not Man City.” Wenger then spoke about the ‘real pressure’ being to pay back the debt incurred by the build-cost of a ­£390million stadium.

That’s why he needed the Champions League. That’s why his achievements have to be accepted as exceptional.

But times change. And Wenger has been the architect of that change. With that shift comes a movement in ­priorities. For the record, apart from on one or two occasions when the ­veteran boss has not accepted defeat with anything approaching good grace, there is no bigger admirer of him than this commentator.

But the time when Wenger points at the past as justification for the present, it can no longer be accepted.

The net debt owed on the stadium is now – according to my calculations – below £100m. Chicken-feed ­compared to the money the Glazer family is ­paying in interest alone on their purchase of Manchester United.

Money has been rolling in from all directions. Consider the latest kit deal, £170m from Puma.

And while it is true that Arsenal do not have the most powerful financial firepower, they are still Arsenal FC.

An attractive proposition for any prospective player. The lure of the London scene, allied to Champions League football and the ability to pay top wages is some draw.

If Sheikh Mansour or Abramovich want to flex their financial muscles, there is little Wenger can do.

But paying £16m for ­Southampton kid Calum ­Chambers is a luxury few others can afford. Arsenal prey on the weak. That is the way of football.

With Gunners players ­talking about the release of pressure after the FA Cup win in May, the scene is set.

Wenger himself was talking about no more excuses for Jack Wilshere. Does the same now apply to him?

The debt is manageable. The club is able to compete for top players. A trophy has bought the manager time.

The fans understood the need for the Emirates to be paid for. But Arsenal have no divine right to be ­successful.

In the past, Wenger has pointed to the top four as evidence of success.